Israel Eliminates Ali Larijani, Key Architect Behind Iranian Protest Massacres

Latest Developments

• Larijani Oversaw Civilian Massacre: The IDF announced on March 17 that it had eliminated Ali Larijani, who was acting as the Islamic Republic’s de facto leader following decapitation strikes that eliminated former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani also personally oversaw the regime’s massacre of some 32,000 Iranian protesters in January. 
• Repressive Paramilitary Commander Eliminated: Additionally, the IDF killed the commander of the regime’s repressive Basij forces, Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani. For the last six years, he led the paramilitary unit that operates under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and played a “significant part” in the violent suppression of Iranian protesters in January, according to an IDF statement. 
• Giving Hope to the Iranian People: Announcing Larijani and Soleimani’s deaths, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “We are undermining this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it. It will not happen all at once, and it will not happen easily. But if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their destiny into their own hands.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told journalists, “The Iranians are safer today after the IDF eliminated Basij commander [Soleimani], his deputy, and [Larijani].” 

FDD Expert Response

“Israel is methodically hunting down the regime’s enforcers responsible for the brutal slaughter of Iranians in January. With the elimination of Ali Larijani and Gholam Reza Soleimani, some justice has been delivered. More justice is coming.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“With the advantage of technological superiority, air dominance, and complete intelligence penetration, Israel can hunt down and kill regime leaders left and right. If you are the forward-deployed IRGC officer carrying out missile launch orders and internal repression orders, you have to stop and ask yourself, ‘Who am I even working for now?’” — Richard Goldberg, Senior Advisor 

“Larijani is just one piece in a much larger machine. Targeting the regime’s command structure has long been part of the playbook, but there are plenty more like him. The IRGC’s command structure is only one pillar of the Islamic Republic’s system of repression. The real weight still sits with the vast network of forces on the ground, which should continue to be dismantled.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Why won’t US activists speak up for the tortured Iran women’s soccer team?” by Janatan Sayeh

“Still Too Early To Silence the Lions Roaring Above Iran,” by David May and Aaron Goren

“Israel conducts 7,600+ strikes on Iran in 13 days, Iran fires hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Glimpsing Victory in Iran,” by Mark Dubowitz and Richard Goldberg